Railroad-crossing signal.



W. C. NEAHR.

RMLROAD CROSSING SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE '3, 916- 1,268,381 Patented June 4. 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

w. 'c. NEAHR.

RAILROAD CROSSING SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13. 1916.

1,268,381 Patented June 4, 1918.

3 S.HEFTSSHEET 3.

anon rl'o'c MED STA ES PATENT @FFTQE.

WILL C. NEAHR, 01? DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR TO THE PROTECTIVE SIGNAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 01 DENVER, COLORADO, A. CORPORATION OF GOLORA 'DO.

To all whom it may concem:

Be it known that I, WILL C. NEAHR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Denver, in the county of Denver and State of Colorado, have 1 invented new and useful Improvements in Railroad-Crossing Signals, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to visual signals of the movable type, and more particularly to those which display a warning slgnal at railroad crossings and the like.

The primary object is to provide a simple apparatus of effective character, which w1ll display a movable danger signal that s visible in the day-time, and also an illuminated signal at night whenever there is danger at a crossing.

A further object is to provide mechanism which is not liable to derangement or damage from the elements, the parts being simple and completely inclosed.

An embodiment of the invention that has proven practicable is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the ap: paratus, with a portion of the casing broken away.

Fig. 2 is a detail view on an enlarged scale of the actuating means for the signal arm.

Fig. 3 is a view in elevation of the circuit controller for the electro-magnet.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the same.

Fig. 5 is a detail view showing the electrical connections for the lamp between the movable arm and the stationary parts.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 of a portion of the mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical connections.

Similar reference numerals designate cor responding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

In the embodiment disclosed, a suitable post or standard 9 is provided, having a base 10, and provided, if desired, with the usual crossing alarm bell 11 and signal lamps 12. Supported on the upper portion of the standard 9 by U-b olts or clips 13 is a bracket 14, which terminates in a casing 15 having opposite side walls 16 perforated for display purposes. Thus, in the embodiment Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 4, 1918.

Application filed June 13, 1916. Serial No. 103,451.

disclosed the word Danger as shown at 22. This arm extends downwardly through the opening 19.0f the base 18, and through an opening 23 formed in the bottom of the casing. It carries a depending target or signal blade 24: that extends a considerable distance below the casing 15, where it is clearly visible. The upper end of the arm is provided with one or more lamps, as 25, two being illustrated in the presentembodiment, which lamps are disposed in opposite directions, and will swing behind the word Danger when the arm 22 is oscillated, as will be evident.

' The lamps are electrically connected, as illustrated at 26 with a pair of spring contact fingers 27, which fingers have their free ends in slidable engagement with a pair of fixed contact plates 28 mounted on a ring 29 of insulating material that is suitably supported on the pivot 21. The plates 28 are located in a suitable circuit 30, which includes a source of electrical energy, shown diagrammatically at 31 in Fig. 8.

Supported on the base 18 within the casing 15 at one side of the arm 22, is an electromagnet 32, and on the opposite side of said arm 22 to the electro-magnet is a post 33 having upper and lower roller bearings 34, between which operates one end of an armature 35, said armature extending into the electro-magnet 32 and having roller bearings 36 in the inner head of said electro-magnet. This armature 35, as shown in Fig. 2, has a slot 37 through which the signal arm 22 passes, and said arm 22 has a longitudinal slot 38. A roller 39,journaled on the armature 35 and located in the slot thereof, is engaged in the slot 38 of the arm 22,'and thusa connection is provided between-the two parts which will effect the swinging of the arm 22 upon the reciprocation of the magnet. Shock absorbing springs 10 are located on the armature 35 on opposite sides of the post 33 and are arranged tobear against the same, accordingly as the armature approaches the limit of its movement in opposite directions. A counterweight ll is adjustably mounted on an arm 42 which projects from the side of the arm 22 opposite to that on which the electro-magnet 32 is located.

The electro-magnet 32 is located in thecam 51 journaled on the fixed pivot 21 and arranged to be held in any position in which it is left by the friction washers'52 located on opposite sides of said cam and bearing against the same. This cam is provided with a slot 53, in which operates a pin 54 carried by the arm 22. The pin 54, as will be clear, has a limited play in the slot,,but the amount of this play can be varied by abutment screws 55 threaded through the opposite edges of the cam, and having their inner ends entering the ends of the slot 53. The upper end of the cam is in the form of a rounded projection 56 that has an oscil-' lating bearing on the under side of the arm 50.

Briefly described the operation is asfollows: Whenever the circuit 30 is closed through the medium of any well 7 known mechanism, as for example, a circuit closer indicated broadly at 57 in Fig. 8, it will be evident that if the contact elements 48 and 49 are in engagement, the electro-magnet will be energized. As a matter of fact, these contact elements are normally in engagement when the signal is at rest, inasmuch as the counterweight 41 will hold the arm 22 in an inclined position, and the cam 51 will be likewise inclined. When the electro-magnet is thus energized, the armature 35 will be drawn into the same, thereby swinging the upper end of the arm 22 to the left. As a result, the pin 54 will be moved until it strikes the left hand abutment screw 55, whereupon the cam 56 will be moved to the position shown in Fig. 3, which will cause the arm 50 to be raised and break the contact between the elements 48 and 49. As a result, the electro-magnet will be denergized, and the weight 41 will react to swing the arm in the opposite direction, where upon the cam 51 will be moved to the right, and from its position supporting the arm 50,

. so that the contacts 48 and 49 will again engage.

The electro-magnet then becomes reenergi'zed, and it will be understoodthat this action will be repeated as long as the circuit 30 is closed. As a consequence, the target 24 will be swung-back and forth, giving a visual display of danger. At the same time, the circuit will be closed through the lamps 25, and said lamps will consequently be illuminated. As a result, at night the word Danger will be displayed, and this danger signal will be given a varying aspect by the movement of the lamps within the casing.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation and many adt'an tages of the herein described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, with out furtherdescription, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape,

by the portion of the arm within the casing.

2. In a signal of the character set forth, the combination with a casing having a perforated display face, of a swinging arm having one end located within the casing and the other end projecting therefrom, a motor within the casing for swinging the arm, and a lamp carried by the portion of the arm within the casing.

3. In a signal of the character set forth,

"the combination with a casing having a display face, of an arm pivoted in the casing and having a target carried by its lower end and depending below said casing, illuminating means on the upper end of the arm that oscillates behind thedisplay face, an electromagnet within the casing, an armature for the electro-magnet connected to the arm, and means for controlling the energization and deenergization of the magnet locatedwithin the casing and also connected to the arm.

4. In a signal of the'character set forth, the combination with a swinging signal arm, of an electro-magnet, a reciprocatory armature for the magnet, extending transversely of the arm and having a slot through which the arm passes, said arm also having a slot, and a device located in both slots and constituting a connection between the armature and arm. 1

5. In a signal of the character set forth, the combination with a support, of a swinging signal arm pivoted on the support and having a longitudinal slot, an electro-magnet on one side of the arm, a guide-way on the other side of the arm, a reciprocatory arma ture extending transversely of the arm and having a slot through which the same passes, said electro-magnet having a sliding bearing in the guideway, and a roller bearing located in the slots and constituting a connection between the armature and signal arm.

6. In a signal of the character set forth, the combination with a swinging signal arm, of an electro-magnet for actuatlng the same, a pivot for the arm, a circuit controller for the electro-magnet, including a movable member, a cam having a friction mounting on the pivot and engaging the movable member of the circuit controller for operating it, and means moving with the arm and having a loose playengagement with the cam for moving the same.

7. In a signal of the character described,

the combination with a pivot, of a signal arm and a cam independently mounted on the pivot, an electro-magnet for actuating the arm and cam, a circuit controller for the eleotro-magnet operated by the cam, and a connection between the signal arm and cam at one side of the pivot for operating one from the other, said connection having a limited 10st motion.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILL C. NEAHR.

Witnesses ARCHIE M. ADAMS, C. P. DENNHARDT. 

